After an idealistic upbringing in Cornwall, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) is informed by his Father (Bill Nighy) that all the men in their family can travel backwards in time. After initially using his gift to alter a few awkward encounters with women around him, he finds it particularly useful when it comes to wooing Mary (Rachel McAdams), the girl of his dreams who he meets at a trendy London restaurant.
As soon as posh, bumbling Tim’s voice over starts in the film’s opening scene, there was immediate concern that Gleeson would serve as little more than a ginger Hugh Grant. And whilst the awkward, stammering mannerisms, and even his voice, are sometime eerily similar to those of Curtis’ muse Grant, he’s so warm and charming in the role that it’s difficult not to like him.
And though I usually have a general distaste for Rachel McAdams in anything where she plays a character you’re meant to actually like, I did find her perfectly bearable in this film. A lot of people have complained that her character is underwritten and that she isn’t given a lot to do, which isn’t true, however that’s probably an advantage from my perspective.
But it’s Bill Nighy who steals the film. He was easily the best thing in Curtis’ Love Actually, and he’s equally as good here as Tim’s eccentric and loving father. He’s not in it an awful lot, yet once the film’s over it’s his scenes that stand out more than any others.
It seems many film fans have a very love/hate relationship with Richard Curtis. It’s true that he’s never going to be a man you’d associate with the word gritty, and though his work is usually enjoyable at the time of watching, there are usually a lot of factors that don’t ring true.
Characters don’t seem realistic, some of the dialogue is horrendously cheesy and it all just seems a bit over the top. Thankfully, though, About Time seemed to show a lot more restraint than his previous efforts. Of course, it has it’s moments of schmaltz, but the fact that it’s released in moderation works in its favour, to create some genuinely touching and understated moments.
It also looks and sounds wonderful throughout. The music fits perfectly to every scene, with a particularly good use of a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds song, the costumes are stunning (especially the wedding dress) and, though it will do little to dispel critics who say Curtis only deals with the middle and upper classes in England, the houses and settings in London and Cornwall do look lovely.
The script is also funny in parts, however it’s never hilarious, and the Curtis posh people swearing gag is wearing a little thin: “Oh my arsing God in a box!” is just baffling.
The film’s main problem, though, is it’s lack of actual plot. The beginning boy-trying-to-get-girl story line is resolved surprisingly swiftly, and various subplots involving first loves and Tim’s troubled sister stop the film heading in one clear direction.
And though certain scenes in the latter part of the film do pack a big emotional punch (I’m more than a little bit ashamed to say there might have been a couple of tears) it’s not clear what the actual film is meant to be; Romance? Comedy? Drama? It’s easy to understand the ‘savour every day’ message of the film, but not the actual plot.
That said, About Time is an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours. Curtis has stated that this will be his last film as a director, and if it is, then – despite the odd cheesy moment – it’s a fairly solid way to bow out.
A guilty pleasure that’s not as guilty as it could be.
Watch the trailer here: